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A-Frame vs Wikitude

A-Frame logo

A-Frame

Software

Web framework for building VR experiences

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wikitude logo

Wikitude

Software

Cross-platform AR SDK for mobile applications

From
€2490/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only A-Frame has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: A-Frame requires WebXR-capable browser; not supported on older browsers or devices without WebXR implementation; Wikitude service discontinued September 21, 2024 - no longer available for purchase or use
  • They diverge on capability: A-Frame covers Declarative HTML, Wikitude covers Image tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which A-Frame and Wikitude actually diverge.

Attributes where A-Frame and Wikitude differ
AttributeA-FrameWikitude
Starting priceFree€2490/year
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devicesAr, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses
Founded20152008

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in A-Frame

  • Declarative HTML
  • Entity-component system
  • WebXR support
  • Cross-platform
  • Three.js
  • AR.js
  • Physics engines
  • Networking

Only in Wikitude

  • Image tracking
  • Instant tracking
  • Object recognition
  • Geo AR
  • Unity
  • Cordova
  • Xamarin
  • Flutter

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

A-Frame

  • Virtual reality web experiencesnot Wikitude
  • Augmented reality applicationsnot Wikitude
  • 3D web visualisationsnot Wikitude
  • Interactive 3D content for web browsersnot Wikitude

Wikitude

  • VR Gamingnot A-Frame
  • AR Marketingnot A-Frame
  • Virtual Trainingnot A-Frame
  • 3D Visualizationnot A-Frame
  • Immersive Experiencesnot A-Frame

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

A-Frame

  • Requires WebXR-capable browser; not supported on older browsers or devices without WebXR implementation

Wikitude

  • Service discontinued September 21, 2024 - no longer available for purchase or use
  • All developer and cloud services shut down permanently
  • Apps built with Wikitude lost backend functionality after shutdown
  • No migration path provided to successor platform

Pricing, plan by plan

A-Frame

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the A-Frame review.

Wikitude

€2490/year
  • Pro$2490/year
    • All tracking features
    • Cloud recognition
    • Support

Which should you pick?

Choose A-Frame if

  • You need declarative html.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devices.
  • You also want entity-component system.
A-Frame review

Choose Wikitude if

  • You need image tracking.
  • You work on Ar, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses.
  • You also want instant tracking.
Wikitude review

Questions people ask

Is A-Frame or Wikitude better?
Neither clearly leads. A-Frame starts at Free and Wikitude at €2490/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, A-Frame or Wikitude?
A-Frame has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for A-Frame and €2490/year for Wikitude.
Does A-Frame or Wikitude run on more platforms?
A-Frame runs on Web (via WebXR), VR headsets, AR-capable mobile devices. Wikitude runs on Ar, Ios, Android, Smart-glasses.
Can I use A-Frame for free?
Yes. A-Frame has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wikitude starts at €2490/year.
What is A-Frame best used for?
A-Frame is most often used for virtual reality web experiences, augmented reality applications, 3d web visualisations, interactive 3d content for web browsers. Of those, virtual reality web experiences and augmented reality applications are not what Wikitude is typically brought in for.
What can A-Frame do that Wikitude cannot?
A-Frame covers Declarative HTML, Entity-component system, WebXR support, Cross-platform. Wikitude covers Image tracking, Instant tracking, Object recognition, Geo AR.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Wikitude: Is Wikitude AR SDK still available?

No. Wikitude services were permanently shut down on September 21, 2024. All Wikitude mobile SDK, Studio, Cloud, and API services are no longer available, and stored data became inaccessible.

Source
Wikitude: Why did Wikitude shut down?

Qualcomm, which acquired Wikitude in 2021, decided to retire the Wikitude brand and consolidate AR development into Snapdragon Spaces XR Developer Platform, focusing exclusively on headworn AR experiences.

Source
Wikitude: What happened to apps built with Wikitude?

More than 40,000 mobile apps were created using Wikitude SDK and delivered to millions of users. After the September 2024 shutdown, these apps no longer have access to Wikitude backend services, though the apps themselves may continue functioning with local features.

Source
Wikitude: When was Wikitude acquired by Qualcomm?

Qualcomm acquired Wikitude in 2021. The acquisition consolidated Qualcomm's AR strategy, leading to the 2024 decision to discontinue mobile AR services.

Source
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